Picker



J. MQSS May 14, 1935.

PICKER Filed July 7, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. Moss PICKER May 14, 1935.

Filed July 7, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /vzzl'zyzar Yum Y MW May 14, 19 35. J o s 2,001,687

PICKER Filed July 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 14, 1935. J oss 2,001,687

PICKER Filed July '7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES PATEliT FFICE PECKER chusetts Application July 7, 1930, Serial No. 465,999

29 Claims.

The present invention relates to pickers, and more particularly to the devices cooperating in such machines to gather the flying fibers into a sheet or bat for delivery from the machine.

In certain familiar forms of pickers, such as that shown and described in my pending application for U. S. Letters Patent, Serial No. 349,697, the cotton fibers are carried in a current of air from the beater to a single perforated condenser cylinder or cage, through which the air is continuously drawn diametrically by a fan, causing the fibers to collect on the outer surface of the cylinder. The fibers thus deposited form a sheet or bat which is advanced by the rotating cage until removed by the stripping rolls to be fed to the calender rolls. The sheet or bat, being gathered on the cage only by the force exerted by the air current, is in a relatively soft and fluffy condition, especially because fibers continue to drift or float onto the sheet from the fiber laden atmosphere above it.

The sheet in its fiuffy condition is particularly susceptible to tearing or pulling at the selvages where it engages with the linings. Linings of wood or metal are necessarily employed in machinery of this character to limit the width of the fiber-filled chambers of the machine to less than the length of the cylinders, so as to prevent the passage of lint and fiber beyond the ends of the cylinder where it would cause friction and other trouble by winding around the shaft or jamming between the cylinder and the frame. Ordinarily the space where the lining fits around the end of the cylinder is sealed by a strip of leather or fabric extending from the back side of the lining over the end of the cylinder and kept in engagement with the latter chiefly by its resiliency. Aside from the fact that such devices often give rise to trouble by failing to conform to the cylindrical surface and by lifting away from the cylinder and thus partially destroyi'ng the sealing effect, there is the added objection that the rough or uneven edge of the leather or fabric retards the movement of the selvages of the sheet, an action aggravated by the condition of the sheet. This produces a sheet of non-uniform thickness and strength and with ragged and uneven selvages.

The object of the present invention is to provide devices for forming a bat of considerable strength, of uniform thickness and texture, of full and true width, and having even and regular selvages.

With this object in view one feature of the invention comprises means acting in combination with the condenser cage to compact or compress the sheet or bat for the latter part of its travel on the cage, and also to prevent access of the fiber laden air to the part of the bat thus compacted, so that the deposit of drifting fibers on the compacted portion is prevented, and the deposit of fibers restricted to a small portion of the cage where they may be more fully controlled, and caused to build up to a uniform depth. In its simplest form this means consists of a roll, acting as a preliminary calender roll, and spaced from the cage in a position to engage a part of the bat already formed. The roll is disposed somewhat in advance of the stripping rolls, and is effectively sealed in the casing to prevent the floating cotton fibers suspended in the air stream from passing over and beyond it.

Although the preliminary compacting means acts to form a hat of sufficiently firm texture to resist excessive tearing by any form of lining, the present invention contemplates, as an additional feature, a lining which assures at all places a smooth unbroken surface in engagement with the selvage, and which avoids the use of the laterally and inwardly extending flange of leather or fabric, while affording at the same time a thoroughly effective seal against passage of fiber beyond the ends of the cylinder. The improved lining takes advantage of the truly cylindrical surface obtainable in condenser cages of modern construction. The use of this preferred lining in combination with the compacting means is recommended, because the sheet or bat is then not only properly compressed, but its selvages are also forced into engagement with the smooth lining surfaces, thus giving a product of maximum uniformity and strength; however, the linings are entirely free of the objection of tearing or pulling on the selvage even though the bat be of especially loose texture, hence the preferred lining, whether to be employed in conjunction with the condenser cage or with other rotating rolls of the picker, forms by itself a feature of the present invention.

Other features of the invention consist of certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described, and particularly defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention,--

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the sheetforming devices atithe delivery end of a picker.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the portion of the picker shown in Fig. 1, showing the means of driving the preliminary calender roll.

Fig. 4 is a view of the improved linings as applied to one side-wall of the picker, viewed from the side that is applied to such wall.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sections on lines 5--5 and 5--6, respectively, of Fig. 4.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a picker having the usual casing 4 and the rotating perforated single condenser cylinder or cage 6, the perforated surface of which passes through the upper or fiber-chamber I and the lower or vacuum chamber 8. A current of air is continuously passed through the perforations of the cage by an exhaust fan 9 located suitably in the vacuum chamber below the condenser cage. The air current carries suspended cotton flbers from the beaters in the usual manner, depositing them on the outer surface of the cage to form the sheet or bat. The fibers, after passing over the baflle l2 are, for the most part, directed to the immediately adjacent surface of the cage, as fast as it travels out from under the baffle [2, where the bat is initially formed, but a somewhat turbulent atmosphere of fiber-laden air exists in the condenser chamber 1 above the bat. The bat is removed from the cage by upper and lower stripping rolls I4 and i6, located in fixed position, by which it is fed to the calender rolls.

According to the present invention there is provided a roll l8 cooperating directly with the condenser cage and arranged to engage with a portion of the bat already gathered on the cage.

The roll comprises a tube 20 mounted at opposite ends upon heads 22 which are secured to a shaft 24 journaled in bearings 26. The roll is mounted closely adjacent to the cage to act as a stop against passage of fiber-laden air, the spaced relation being less than the thickness of the bat or sheet, so that the latter will fill the entire space between the cage and the roll, and also so that the roll will bear with sufllcient pressure to effect the desired preliminary calendaring action. Preferably the roll is mounted with capacity for yielding movement away from the surface of the cage, to accommodate bats of greater thickness when desired without need for adjustment, and for this purpose its journals are received in arcuate slots 25 in the machine-sides concentric with the shaft I5 of the upper stripping roll l4, the Journals being held down by followers 21 provided with centering studs, over which rest theends of expanding springs 29 retained by coverplates 3| applied to the open ends of the slots. The roll ll is driven by a chain 30 connecting sprockets on the shaft 24 and the shaft ii of the upper stripper roll l4, the surface speed of the roll being substantially the same as that of the To seal the preliminary calendering roll I I in the casing so as to prevent the air which enters the condenser chamber 1 from passing over and beyond the roll, a portion 23 is provided as a continuation of the top wall 35 of the chamber. This portion extends across the width of the machine in substantially radial relation to the roll I8, and has at itsextremity nearest such roll a strip of leather 3! which bears against the periphery of the roll to form a substantially airtight joint. The portion 23 is hinged as indicated at 31 to lugs in connection with the machine-sides 4, so that it also serves as a, door giving admittance to the fiber chamber 1 when swung upward away from the roll I! about its pivot 31. when closed, it is supported in proper working relation with the roll it through resting at 4| upon theinclined edge of the lining 33. By arranging the portion 23 in radial relation with the roll, it serves as a baflle avoiding the formation of a pocket or recess above the middle of the roll in which fiber and dirt can accumulate.

A panel 60 extends across the entire width of the machine from one side-frame to the other, being secured to such side-frame by bolts 62, and has its upper edge 84 located in close proximity to the periphery of the roll I! to serve as a wiper therefor to clear the surface of the roll of any lint adhering thereto. The lower end of the panel 60 is located in proximity to the upper.

stripping roll l4, and has a surface 66 against which rests one face of a wooden stripper 68 which also has a concave under surface resting upon the periphery of the stripping roll l4, and which thus serves as a wiper to clear the upper stripping roll. The main extent of this wooden stripper 68 is triangular in section, but at its extremities it is provided with parallel surfaces, I

one to fit against the surface it aforesaid of the panel 60, and the other to fit against the opposed and parallel surface of a block II secured to each of the side-frames of the machine. Through this arrangement, the wiper 88 is easily slipped out of its position in an upward direction to be removed and cleared of lint which it has wiped from upper stripping roll i4, and is free to rise when the upper stripping roll is lifted by the thickness of the bat.

The roll it performs a double function,flrst, it acts as a preliminary calender roll to condense and compact the sheet of fiber gathered on the cage, thus producing a sheet of uniform thickness and strengthening the selvages against deformation, as well as aiding the calendering action, in imparting a smooth surface adapted to unwind again without licking up, and second, it prevents deposit of loose drifting cotton on the compressed portion of the lap extending from the roll I! to the strippers, and confines the deposit to a relatively small area on the condenser, and thus tends to produce a much more uniform texture.

The improved linings shown in Figs. 4 to 6 are provided to prevent fiber from working beyond the ends of the rotating parts and also to seal against admission of air. The linings used on one side of the machine in conjunction with the bat-forming devices are constructed in three sections, as shown in Fig. 4, a rear section 32, a forward section 34, and an intermediate section 33. A similar but oppositely arranged set of sections is mounted on the opposite side of the machine. Each lining section comprises a web 36 disposed inwardly from the side of the machine and having a smooth inward surface. The web is spaced from the machine side by an outwardly extending narrow flange 38, and also by bolting bosses 4. by which the lining is secured to the machine. Each of the three sections has an arcuate sealing flange 42 conforming to the curvature of the condenser and extending outwardly to overlie the unperforated edge thereof. These' flanges are formed on a radius only slightly greater than that of the condenser cylinder. Each'flange is grooved to receive a strip 45 of packing material, such as felt. This packing, by its natural resiliency engages uniformly over the unperforated end surface of the condenser, and thus not only prevents outward working of fiber but also prevents leakage of air. On the rear section 32, the flange is extended at 45 about a portion of the periphery of the lower stripper roll l6 and at about a to seal the preliminary calender roll i 8, the rear lining section 32 is provided with the grooved flange 48, with a separate strip of felt 49 to make contact with the roll. The intermediate section 33 is similarly provided with a flange 58 which is grooved to receive a felt packing strip bearing against the periphery of the roll at the end thereof. If desired, the leading and upper portions of the inward surfaces of the linings may be made oblique as indicated by the shading of the forward section 34, to facilitate the travel of the fibers over their surfaces.

It will be seen that the linings not only afl'ord maximum sealing against passage of fiber and air, but also have the advantage of presenting a smooth surface to the sheet or bat at. all points. The clearance between the lining and the roll or cylinder is so small that practically the whole thickness of the selvageof the sheet engages with the smooth metal forming the inward face. Although the preliminary calender roll 18 acts to improve the firmness of the sheet, so that damage to the selvagcs is practically prevented, and although the improved linings act to form smooth selvages, no matter how loose the sheet may be, it is apparent that maximum uniformity and smoothness of sheet are obtained when the roll 18 and the improved linings are used in combination, because the sheet is then compacted uniformly throughout and the selvages are pressed uniformly against the smooth lining surfaces.

Mounted for engagement with the rising side of the condenser E in the vacuum chamber are a pair of wipers 54 bearing against opposite unperforated end-portions of the cylinder to remove any particles of fiber and thus prevent their being carried under the linings. Each wiper comprises a curved arm pivoted on a bolt 56 secured in the machine side. Secured to the end of the arm by a bolt 58 is a U-shaped piece of felt 59 which bears against the periphery of the cylinder. The felt lies above the line connecting the axis of the cylinder 8 with the pivot 56, and is maintained in contact with the cylinder by the weight of the arm. The pivoted arrangement of the wiper permits the proper wiping pressure to be applied to the cylinder at all times; as the felt wears, the slight pivotal movement of the arm automatically compensates for it. The wiper sweeps off any lint or fiber that may adhere to the cylinder at the edges, and thus prevents clogging of the lining. This form of wiper may also be employed in connection with the ordinary leather or fabric type of lining and is here especially useful in that it at least partially avoids one of the main causes of trouble, namely the lifting of the leather or fabric away from the cylinder at places through the accumulation of fiber under it.

While I have illustrated and described certain forms in which the invention may be embodied, I am aware that many modifications may be made therein by any person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the particular form shown, or to the details of construction thereof, but what I do claim is:-

1. A picker having, in combination, a single condenser, a casing around the condenser cooperating therewith to define a fiber-chamber, stripping means, means for drawing a current of air through the fiber chamber and the condenser to deposit fibers from the air current and to form a sheet on the condenser, and means cooperating with the casing and the condenser for preventing access of fiber-laden air to the sheet on a portion of the condenser where the air currents are directed inwardly of the condenser.

2. A picker having, in combination, a single condenser, a casing around the condenser cooperating therewith to define a fiber-chamber, stripping means, means for drawing a current of air through the fiber chamber and the condenser to deposit fibers from the air current-and to form a sheet on the condenser, and means cooperating with the casing and the condenser for preventing deposit of drifting fibers on the finalportion of the sheet carried by the condenser while such portion is subjected to suction from within the condenser.

3. A picker having, in combination, a beater, a condenser, stripping means, a casing around the condenser cooperating therewith to define a fiberchamber, means for drawing a current of air inwardly through the fiber chamber and the con denser to deposit fibers from the air current and to form a sheet on the condenser, and means in contact with the sheet to compress the sheet on the condenser, located intermediate the length of the sheet held to the condenser by air currents directed inwardly of the condenser.

4. Apicker having, in combination, a beater, a condenser, a casing around the condenser cooperating therewith to define a fiber-chamber, stripping means, means for drawing a current of air through the fiber chamber and the condenserto deposit fibers from the air current and to form a sheet on the condenser, and a roll cooperating with the condenser to compress the sheet on the condenser, located so that the sheet thus compressed is held against the condenser by the air currents after passing the roll and until its removal by the stripping means.

5. A picker having, in combination, a beater, a condenser, a casing around the condenser cooperating therewith to define a fiber-chamber therefor, stripping means, means for drawing a current of air through the fiber chamber and the condenser to deposit fibers from the air current and to form a sheet on the condenser, and means cooperating with the condenser and casing for compressing the sheet on the condenser and for preventing deposit of fibers on the sheet after being compressed and while still on the condenser and subjected to suction.

6. A picker having, in combination, a condenser, a casing around the condenser cooperating therewith to define a fiber chamber, stripping means, means for drawing a current of air through the fiber chamber and the condenser to deposit fibers from the air current and to form a sheet on the condenser, and a roll cooperating with the condenser to compact the sheet formed thereon prior to its removal by the stripping means, the roll also cooperating with the casing to prevent access of fiber-laden air to the compacted sheet while the latter is held to the condenser by suction.

7. A picker having, in combination, a condenser, top and side walls coacting with the condenser to. define a fiber chamber, stripping means, means for drawing a current of air through the chamber and the condenser to deposit fibers from the air current and to form and hold a sheet on the condenser, and means cooperating with the top and side walls for limiting the deposit of fibers to less than the total area of the sheet that is held to the condenser by the air currents.

8. A picker having, in combination, a condenser, top and side walls coacting with the condenser to define a fiber chamber, stripping means defining one end of such chamber, means for drawing a current of air through the chamber and the condenser to deposit fibers from the air current and to form and hold a sheet on the condenser, and means located within the chamber controlling the fibers so as to restrict their deposit to a predetermined portion of the part of the condenser to which the sheet is held by the air currents.

9. A picker having, in combination, a condenser, top and side walls coacting with the condenser to define a fiber chamber, stripping means defining one end of such chamber, means for drawing a current of air through the chamber and the condenser to deposit fibers from'the air current and to form a sheet on the condenser, a roll extending in the chamber cooperating with the condenser to compress the sheet on the condenser and so disposed that the sheet is held to the condenser by suction after passing the roll, one portion of the top wall of the chamber being a baffle cooperating with the surface of the roll, and means for sealing the space between the baiiie and the roll.

10. In a fiber chamber defined by walls, the combination with a cylinder contacting with loose fibers and terminating within the chamber walls, of a chamber lining applied to the interior surfaces of the chamber walls, having a smooth face wider in a direction radially away from the cylinder than the maximum thickness of the sheet disposed inwardly from the edge of the cylinder and an arcuate flange overlying the cylinder and conforming in curvature thereto, and a strip of packing material carried by the fiange and engaging with the cylinder at such points only as are outward from the plane of said smooth face.

11. In a fiber chamber defined by walls, the combination with a condenser cage terminating within the walls and having unperforated edges, of a lining applied to the interior surfaces of the chamber walls comprising a plurality of sections assembled in proximity to the cage, each section having a smooth internal fiber-engaging face wider in a direction radially away from the condenser than the maximum thickness of the sheet and an outwardly extending flange overlying the unperforated edge of the cage, the fiange having a groove, and a strip of packing material received in the groove and engaging the edge of the cylinder.

12. In a fiber chamber defined by walls, the combination with a condenser cage and cooperating rolls, of a chamber lining applied to the interior surfaces of the chamber walls having arcuate edges conforming to the curvature of the cage and rolls, the arcuate edges having grooves opposed to the peripheral surfaces of the cage and rolls, and packing material received in the grooves and of less inward extent than the fiber-engaging surface of the lining.

13. The combination with a condenser cage and cooperating rolls, of a lining having arcuate edges conforming to the curvature of the cage and rolls,

the arcuate edges having grooves opposed to the peripheral surfaces of the cage and rolls, and a continuous strip of packing materal received in the grooves and successively engaging the peripheral edge portions of the cage and rolls.

14. A picker having, in combination, a fiber chamber defined by walls, a condenser terminating within such walls, means cooperating with the condenser to compress the sheet or bat, and stationary smooth linings fixed on the inside surfaces of the walls and at the ends of the condenser, and wider in a direction radially away from the condenser than the maximum thickness of the sheet, against which the sheet or bat is compressed to form smooth selvages.

15. A picker having, in combination, a condenser, means cooperating with the condenser to compress the sheet or bat formed thereon, linings having smooth internal fiber-engaging faces, and

arcuate faces opposed to the peripheral edges of the condenser, and packing material between the arcuate faces of the linings and the edge portions of the condenser.

16. A picker having, in combination, a condenser, a preliminary calender roll cooperating with the condenser to compress the sheet or bat formed thereon, linings having smooth internal fiber-engaging faces, and arcuate faces opposed to the peripheral edges of the condenser, and packing material between the arcuate faces of the linings and the edge portions of the condenser.

17. A picker having, in combination, a condenser cage having unperforated edges, linings overlying the unperforated edges of the cage and having outwardly extending arcuate fianges opposed to the edges of the cage and spaced with small clearance therefrom, packing material on the flanges, the linings having smooth internal fiber-engaging walls, and a preliminary calender roll cooperating with the cage to compress the sheet or bat and to force the selvages into contact with the smooth lining walls.

18. A picker having, in combination, a condenser cage having unperforated edge portions, a lining, and a wiper to remove fiber from the edges of the cage prior to engagement of portions of the cage with the lining.

19. A picker having, in combination, a condenser cage having unperforated edge portions, a lining, and a wiper to remove fiber from the edges of the cage prior to engagement of portions of the cage with theJining, the wiper comprising an arm, and resilient material connected with the arm and engaging with the condenser.

20. A picker having, in combination, a condenser cage having unperforated edge portions, a lining, and a wiper to remove fiber from the edges of the cage prior to engagement of portions of the cage with the lining, the wiper comprising a pivoted arm, and fabric attached to the arm and maintained in engagement with the cage by the weight of the arm.

21. A picker having, in combination, a condenser cage having unperforated edge portions, linings cooperating with a portion of the unperperforated edges of the cage, the linings having arcuate faces opposed to the cage and provided with packing material, and wipers engaging with the cage in advance of the linings to remove particles of fiber from the cage and prevent their being carried under the linings.

22. A picker having, in combination, a casing having a vacuum chamber and a fiber chamber, a condenser cage rotating in the chambers, linings in the fiber chamber having faces opposed to the periphery of the cage, and a wiper in the vacuum chamber to remove fiber from the cage.

23. A picker having, .in combination, a casing having a vacuum chamber and a fiber chamber, a condenser cage rotating in the chambers, linings in the fiber chamber having faces opposed to the periphery of the cage, and a wiper in the vacuum chamber to remove fiber from the cage, the wiper comprising an arm having resilient material in contact with the cage.

24. A picker having, in combination, a casing having a vacuum chamber and a fiber chamber, a condenser cage rotating in the chambers, linings in the fiber chamber having faces opposed to the periphery of the cage, and a wiper in the vacuum chamber to remove fiber from the cage, the wiper comprising a pivoted arm having fabric material maintained in contact with the cage by the weight of the arm.

25. A picker having, in combination, a fiber chamber and a vacuum chamber, a condenser cage rotating in the chambers, linings in the fiber chamber having smooth internal walls, a preliminary calender roll operating directly on the lap formed on the cage, and a wiper in the vacuum chamber to remove fibers from the edge of the cage to prevent accumulation thereof under the linings.

having its weight supported whollyby a stripper roll to remove lint adhering to the rolls after contact with the sheet or bat.

2'7. A picker having, in combination, a condenser cylinder, cooperating stripper rolls, guides, and a wiper acting on the upper stripper roll, held in the guides with its weight supported wholly by the surface of such roll to remove lint transferred to such roll by the sheet or bat.

28. A picker having in combination a condenser, a pair of stripper rolls, means for drawing a current of air through the condenser to deposit fibers from the air-current to form a sheet on the condenser, a roll cooperating with the condenser to compress the sheet on the condenser, and means for driving the latter roll, the parts being arranged so that the air drawn through the condenser holds the compressed sheet against the condenser until it reaches the stripping rolls.

29. A picker having in combination a condenser, a pair of stripper rolls, means for drawing 9. current of air through the condenser to deposit fibers from the air-current to form a sheet on the condenser, a roll cooperating with the condenser to compress the sheet on the condenser, and means for driving the latter roll at substantially the same surface speed as that of the condenser, the air suction holding the compressed sheet to the condenser from the roll to the stripper rolls.

JOSEPH MOSS. 

